DGCA takes action against Air India for violations in crew scheduling and flight time.

The aviation regulatory body, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has taken decisive action against Air India due to serious and recurrent failures in crew scheduling protocols, resulting in the removal of three senior officials from the airline’s rostering department.

In a formal directive released on Friday (June 20), the aviation authority pinpointed the individuals as being directly accountable for a series of violations, which include unauthorized and non-compliant crew pairings, breaches of essential licensing requirements, and a lack of compliance with flight crew recency standards. The DGCA referred to the situation as a “systemic failure” in both scheduling practices and supervisory oversight. Inadequate rest or training for pilots or cabin crew poses a risk to passenger safety.

“These three officials have exhibited severe and repeated failures in crew rostering,” the DGCA remarked, emphasizing that internal disciplinary actions must commence against them within 10 days.
The regulator has issued a stern warning to the Tata Group-owned airline, indicating that any future infractions related to crew scheduling could result in significant penalties, including the suspension of operational licenses and additional limitations on flight operations.

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In a further escalation, the DGCA has served Air India with a show cause notice for violating flight time limitations as detailed in the Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR Section 7, Series J, Part III). Recent spot checks revealed that two Bengaluru–London flights — AI133 on May 16 and 17 — surpassed the stipulated 10-hour duty limit for flight crew.

These flight time regulations are designed to combat pilot and crew fatigue on long-haul journeys, as fatigue represents a significant risk to flight safety.

The DGCA observed that Air India did not ensure adherence to legally mandated flight time norms and has requested the airline to respond within seven days, providing justification for why regulatory action should not be pursued against the carrier.

“Neglecting to respond may result in an ex parte decision based on the evidence at hand,” the notice cautioned.

Air India has acknowledged the regulator’s directive and stated that the airline has complied with the order. “In the meantime, the company’s Chief Operations Officer will closely oversee the Integrated Operations Control Centre (IOCC). Air India is dedicated to ensuring full compliance with safety protocols and operational standards,” the airline affirmed.

These developments arise during a period of heightened scrutiny for Air India, following recent operational disruptions and the tragic plane crash on June 12 in Ahmedabad. The regulator’s actions underscore escalating concerns regarding the airline’s internal management and compliance with aviation safety standards.

Industry experts perceive the DGCA’s actions as a vital measure to enhance discipline in crew management, an essential aspect of flight safety. The response from Air India to the notice will likely influence the extent of any further regulatory actions.